U.S. patent application number 12/428612 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-04 for pontoon bimini extender and rail clamping mechanism.
Invention is credited to Daniel E. Lemons.
Application Number | 20100050923 12/428612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41723455 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100050923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lemons; Daniel E. |
March 4, 2010 |
PONTOON BIMINI EXTENDER AND RAIL CLAMPING MECHANISM
Abstract
A bimini extender fits overlappingly onto and extends forward of
a pontoon's primary bimini for extended shade. The bimini extender
includes a flexible cover that is at least about one-third of the
deck surface area of the pontoon boat, a framework configured for
attachment to one or both of the deck and pontoon's perimeter
railing, a rear attachment structure for attaching the flexible
cover to one of the deck, perimeter railing, and primary bimini,
and a front attachment structure for attaching the flexible cover
to the framework. The flexible cover shades an "extra" portion of
the deck surface area. The bimini extender is made to be
collapsible, removable, and storable, and further is made with
robust and lower-cost components including a novel railing clamp,
yet is aesthetic, durable and easily installable/removable.
Inventors: |
Lemons; Daniel E.; (Commerce
Twp., MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON, LLP
695 KENMOOR, S.E., P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
41723455 |
Appl. No.: |
12/428612 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61093062 |
Aug 29, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
114/361 ;
24/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/44017 20150115;
F16B 2/185 20130101; B63B 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/361 ;
24/457 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/02 20060101
B63B017/02; F16B 2/02 20060101 F16B002/02 |
Claims
1. A bimini extender apparatus for a pontoon boat having a deck
with defined surface area, perimeter railing, and a primary bimini
for shade, comprising: a flexible cover having a surface area of at
least about one-third of the defined surface area of the pontoon
boat; a framework configured for attachment to one or both of the
deck and the perimeter railing; a rear attachment structure for
attaching the flexible cover to one of the deck, perimeter railing,
and primary bimini; and a front attachment structure for attaching
the flexible cover to the framework with the flexible cover
arranged to shade an additional portion of the deck surface
area.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework is
collapsible.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework includes
attachments that are easily removable from the pontoon boat.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the rear attachment
structure is releasably attached to the flexible cover.
5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework includes
stabilizers, at least one of which is pivoted to the perimeter
railing of the pontoon boat.
6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the rear attachment
structure attaches to the primary bimini's framework.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the rear attachment
structure is looped around parts of the primary bimini's
framework.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework includes
an inverted U-shaped frame attached to the deck of the pontoon
boat.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the framework is
vertically extendable for height adjustment.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the framework
includes side struts.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein the side struts
include vertically-telescoping tubes.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework is
horizontally extendable.
13. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the cover overlaps
with the primary bimini.
14. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the cover combines
with the primary bimini to substantially cover the entire deck
surface of the pontoon boat.
15. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the frame is fastened
to the pontoon boat with attachment structure adapted to be removed
without separate tools.
16. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the framework is
attached to the railing of the pontoon boat with clamps that engage
opposite sides of the railing and that includes a handle with over
center cam for clamping engagement.
17. An auxiliary bimini for a pontoon having a deck and a perimeter
railing, comprising: front and rear inverted U-shaped frames each
including side-located vertical struts and a cross brace; a first
bracket on each of the struts of the front frame, the first bracket
anchoring the front frame to one of the deck and the railing; a
second bracket on each of the struts of the rear frame, the second
bracket anchoring the rear frame to a portion of the railing; a
flexible cover with front and rear edges connected at multiple
locations to the cross braces of the front and rear frames.
18. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the struts
each are vertically adjustable to change a height at which the
cover is held.
19. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the frames
include attachment brackets that are removable without the need for
separate tools.
20. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the frames
include foldable front and rear frames.
22. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the cover has
a transverse beam extending generally parallel the front and rear
cross braces and that holds a middle portion of the cover higher
than side edges of the cover.
23. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the cover
includes hook-and-loop attachment patches on straps for looping
connection to the cross braces.
24. The auxiliary bimini defined in claim 17, wherein the frame
includes clamp brackets for adjustably engaging perimeter hand
railing.
25. A clamping mechanism comprising: first and second clamping
members each including a tube-engaging end and a clamp end, the
tube-engaging ends opposing each other to define a square pocket
for receiving a tube railing, at least one of the outer ends of the
tube-engaging ends include a lip for engaging an outer side surface
of the tube to ensure positive engagement with the tube, the clamp
ends including aligned holes, respectively, with the hole in the
lower clamp member being threaded; and a handle assembly with a
threaded rod shaped to fit slidably through the aligned holes in
the clamp ends and threadably engaging the hole in the clamp end of
the second clamping member, and further including a handle movably
mounted on a top of the rod between release and clamped positions,
the handle including a cam that tensions the threaded rod for
selectively tightening the upper clamp member against the lower
clamp member when the handle is moved to the clamped position and
for loosening the upper clamp member when the handle is moved to
the release position.
26. The clamping mechanism defined in claim 25, including a
frame-engaging bracket attached to the first clamp member adjacent
the handle assembly.
27. The clamping mechanism defined in claim 25, wherein the
frame-engaging bracket is pivoted to the first clamp member.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/093,062, filed Aug.
29, 2008, entitled AUXILIARY PONTOON COVER, the entire contents of
which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a shade for pontoons, and
more particularly relates to an extender that can be attached to an
existing bimini for extending its shaded area, and further that can
be easily removed and stored in a compact arrangement.
[0003] Pontoon boats often include biminis (which are essentially
collapsible umbrella-like shading) for partial shading of the
boat's deck (e.g., about a rear third of the deck). Typically, the
biminis include a tubular framework and a canvas cover that can be
pivotally moved to a collapsed rearward position, such as on cloudy
days when it is not necessary to have the bimini extended. However,
a problem is that two-thirds of the deck remains uncovered and open
to the sun, which can be extremely hot and unappealing to pontoon
passengers. Thus, it is not uncommon for only a rear portion of
many pontoon boats to be used on hot days, if at all.
[0004] Notably, making an existing bimini larger does not solve the
problem, for several reasons. First, biminis can act like a sail,
catching wind and interfering with operation of the boat. Further,
large biminis can be aesthetically unattractive and further can be
massive and expensive, both of which are undesirable. Still
further, countless existing pontoon boats have biminis that only
cover about a third of the pontoon's deck area. It is not possible
to simply enlarge an existing bimini without substantial
modification to the existing boat, including the purchase and
design of the support structure and cover to be added.
[0005] Another problem concerns attaching bimini-supporting
framework to a pontoon boat. Many pontoon owners are not skilled
installers and/or do not like drilling holes and permanently
attaching brackets/framework to their boats. Some find the process
of folding (or erecting) the bimini framework to be confusing or at
least not intuitive to them, especially when a tool is required.
Further, over time, the bimini framework can become damaged, making
it difficult to fold and/or erect . . . as well as becoming
unsightly.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is
provided for pontoon boats having a deck with defined surface area,
perimeter railing, and a primary bimini for shade. The apparatus
includes a flexible cover having a surface area of at least about
one-third of the deck surface area of the pontoon boat. A framework
is configured for attachment to one or both of the deck and the
perimeter railing, a rear attachment structure for attaching the
flexible cover to one of the deck, the perimeter railing, and the
primary bimini, and a front attachment structure for attaching the
flexible cover to the framework with the flexible cover arranged to
shade an addition portion of the deck surface area.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, an auxiliary
bimini for a pontoon having a deck and a perimeter railing is
provided, where the auxiliary bimini includes front and rear
inverted U-shaped frames each including side-located vertical
struts and a cross brace. First brackets on the struts of the front
frame anchor the front frame to one of the deck and the railing,
and second brackets on the struts of the rear frame anchor the rear
frame to a portion of the railing. A flexible cover includes front
and rear edges connected at multiple locations to the cross braces
of the front and rear frames.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an extended
shade on a pontoon, and to do so with a secure but retractable
bimini system that does not interfere with boat operation or
appearance.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a bimini
extender that is collapsible, removable, storable, and yet that is
cost-effective, durable, robust, and does not detract from the
aesthetics of an existing pontoon boat.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a clamping
mechanism includes first and second clamping members each including
a tube-engaging end and a clamp end, the tube-engaging ends
opposing each other to define a square pocket for receiving a tube
railing, at least one of the outer ends of the tube-engaging ends
include a lip for engaging an outer side surface of the tube to
ensure positive engagement with the tube, the clamp ends including
aligned holes, respectively, with the hole in the lower clamp
member being threaded. The clamping mechanism further includes a
handle assembly with a threaded rod shaped to fit slidably through
the aligned holes in the clamp ends and threadably engaging the
hole in the clamp end of the second clamping member. The handle
assembly also includes a handle movably mounted on a top of the rod
between release and clamped positions, the handle including a cam
that tensions the threaded rod for selectively tightening the upper
clamp member against the lower clamp member when the handle is
moved to the clamped position and for loosening the upper clamp
member when the handle is moved to the release position.
[0011] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present invention will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon including a bimini
and a bimini extender embodying the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a front support for the bimini
extender, FIGS. 3-4 are further enlarged views of a bottom of the
front support, and FIG. 5 is a further enlarged view of a top of
the front support.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a rear, top of the
rear support.
[0015] FIGS. 7-8 are perspective views of modified bimini
extenders, FIG. 7 showing cover-supporting cross braces extending
in a lateral direction and FIG. 8 showing cover-supporting cross
braces extending in a longitudinal direction.
[0016] FIGS. 9-10 are additional perspective views of the pontoon
and FIGS. 11-12 are perspective views of the mid-level clamping
bracket and rail-engaging lower clamping bracket for clamping to
the perimeter railing of the pontoon.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified pontoon.
[0018] FIGS. 12-13 are orthogonal exploded views of a clamp used in
FIG. 11.
[0019] FIGS. 14-15 are orthogonal views of the assembled clamp from
FIG. 12.
[0020] FIGS. 16-17 are side views of the assembled clamp in FIG.
14, FIG. 16 showing the locking handle as unlocked and in FIG. 17
as locked.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Pontoon boats with biminis for partial shading are well
known in the art. The illustrated pontoon boat 20 (FIGS. 1-2)
includes pontoons 21 for flotation, a deck 22, perimeter railing
23, seating 24, and a driver area 25 with steering and motor
controls. A primary bimini 26 is supported over a rear third (or
slightly more or less) of the boat 20 by tubular framework 27 for
pivotal movement between an extended position which shades
passengers in about a rear third of the boat 20, and a collapsed
position where the canvas cover 28 is folded and the framework
collapsed to a U-shape. A bimini extender 40 embodying the present
invention is attached to the pontoon boat 20 for extending the
shade to the entire deck 22. Advantageously, the bimini extender 40
with concepts embodying the present invention makes the entire deck
22 functional even on hot or humid days. Yet, the bimini extender
40 is removable and/or collapsible for quick storage and transport.
Further, the bimini extender 40 is made so as to not undesirably
act as a sail that catches wind and "fights" operation of the
pontoon boat 20. Still further, the bimini extender 40 is
attachable (retrofittable) to the existing structure of a pontoon
boat 20 without the need for undesirable and/or substantial
modification to existing structure of the pontoon boat 20. Also,
the installation does not require sophisticated skill for
installation, but instead can be done by boat owners of limited
skill level and with few tools. Notably, a person of ordinary skill
in this art will recognize that the present bimini extender (and
related concepts) can be easily modified for installation onto
other pontoon boats, other watercraft and other similar structures
(such as floating decks and diving platforms, outdoor shaded
structures, and the like) where it is desirable to extend an
existing shade.
[0022] The bimini extender 40 (FIG. 2) includes a supporting
framework 41 and a canvas or fabric cover 42 (preferably a flexible
lightweight fabric such as an anti-tear material often used for
parachutes or water environments). The framework 41 includes an
inverted U-shaped front support 43 and a pair of rear tie straps
44. The rear straps 44 (FIG. 6) are configured to be wrapped around
an upper part of the existing framework 27, and are preferably
fabric strips with ends that can be releasably fastened together,
such as with Velcro.RTM. material or the like. A rear edge of the
cover 42 is sufficiently stiff (and can include a stiff pole or
insert if desired) and the straps 44 pull sufficiently downward
such that attachment of the rear corners of the cover 42 to the
framework 27 retains the bimini extender 40 to the existing bimini
26 in an overlapping edge condition. For example, a rear edge of
the bimini extender cover 42 can be pulled downward such that its
center region effectively "hangs onto" a forwardmost overhead beam
of the primary bimini's supporting framework 27.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front support 43 for the
bimini extender 40. The front support 43 includes a vertical
tubular side strut 45 at each corner of the boat 20, and a tubular
cross piece 46 attached via corner brackets 47. The corner brackets
47 are polymeric structures (or can be metal or other material) and
include a long socket for telescopingly receiving the end of the
cross piece 46, and a vertical socket for receiving a top of the
side strut 45. The strut 45 and cross piece 46 are attached to the
corner brackets 47 as desired, such as by a set screw, pin, or
other fastening means. A front of the cover 42 includes a plurality
of spaced loops 48 attached to a front edge of the cover 42 and
that loop around the cross piece 46, thus tensioning the cover 42
between its front and rear connections. The illustrated loops 48
are fabric strips and can be made releasable such as by using
Velcro.RTM. if desired, but it is not contemplated that they need
to be fabric nor releasable. The cross piece 46 can be made
telescopingly extendable if desired, such that the present system
can be attached to pontoon boats having different widths.
[0024] The side struts 45 (FIG. 2) comprise a pair of tubes 50
telescopingly engaged and including a center clamp or pin 52 and/or
a turn screw such that a height of the side struts 45 can be raised
or lowered. A floor mount 55 (FIGS. 3-4) includes an apertured
flange 56 that can be easily attached to the deck 22 by a screw or
bolt 57. The mount 55 includes a vertical tube 58 that matably
receives a lower end of the bottom tube 50, and a pin retainer 58'
extends through the tube 58 and bottom of tube 50. A bent-wire
cotter-pin-like retainer 59 engages the pin retainer 58' to keep
the pin retainer 58' in position, but the bent-wire retainer 59
forms a loop to facilitate removal of the pin retainer 58' and in
turn removal of the strut 45.
[0025] Two stabilizer tubes 60 and 61 (FIG. 2) extend at 90 degrees
from the strut 45 for stabilizing the struts 45 in their vertical
positions. The stabilizer 60 extends at an angle in a fore-aft
direction, and includes an upper/forward end 62 connected to the
strut 45 by an upper bracket 63 and a lower/rearward end 65
connected to the strut 45 by a lower bracket 64. The upper bracket
63 slides vertically on the strut 45 and includes a clamping
portion and a bolt/screw for clamping the upper bracket 63 in place
on the strut 45. By releasing the bolt/screw, the stabilizer 60 is
released from the strut 45. The lower bracket 64 includes a bottom
flange 66 forming a bottom pocket for matably engaging a top rail
of the perimeter railing 23, and a top flange 67 forming a top
pocket for matably receiving a bottom end of the stabilizer 60. A
pivot pin 68 connects the stabilizer 60 to the lower bracket 64,
but allows the stabilizer 60 to pivot forward to a flat storage
position on the top rail of the perimeter railing 23.
[0026] The second stabilizer 61 extends at an angle transversely
across the boat 20, and includes an upper/forward end 72 connected
to the strut 45 by an upper bracket 73 and a lower/rearward end 75
connected to the strut 45 by a lower bracket 74. The upper bracket
73 is similar to bracket 63, and the lower bracket 74 is similar to
lower bracket 64, such that a repetitious discussion is not
required.
[0027] The illustrated cover 42 (FIG. 1) is relatively large (e.g.,
large enough to cover two-thirds of an area of the deck 22),
however the cover 42 is held in a relatively flat position such
that it provides only limited wind resistance. In other words, it
does not act like a sail. If desired, rod-like stiffeners (not
specifically shown, but for example can be
1/4''.times.1''.times.72'' metal or plastic strips, see
laterally-oriented stiffeners 90 in FIG. 7, or
longitudinally-oriented stiffeners 90A in FIG. 8) are attached to
the cover 42 to prevent sagging and/or to give the cover 42 a
raised center. For example, the stiffeners can be releasably
attached to the cover 42 using spaced straps 80 that hold the
stiffeners tight to a bottom of the cover 42. Alternatively, the
stiffeners can be attached to a top surface of the cover 42, and
bowed/arched over the cover 42 such as by capturing their ends on
the cover 42. Intermediate straps would be used to connect a center
section of the stiffeners to the cover 42.
[0028] The illustrated bimini extender 40 including its framework
41 and cover 42 can be easily attached to an existing pontoon boat
20 with primary bimini 26 and with minimal modification of
components on the existing pontoon 20. Further, the bimini extender
40 can be easily erected to its use position. Further, the bimini
extender 40 can be easily collapsed to a forwardly-folded storage
position (still-attached) and/or can be easily totally removed from
the pontoon boat 20 (except of course the attachment brackets
and/or parts of the framework 41 intended to be pivoted to a
storage position while still attached to the pontoon boat 20.
[0029] It is contemplated that a bimini extender 40 can be
constructed that covers only a portion of a pontoon boat 20,
instead of covering an entire portion forward of the primary bimini
26. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified bimini
extender that covers about an additional one-third of a deck 22
ahead of the primary bimini 26. The illustrated bimini extender 40A
includes similar components to the bimini extender 40, and similar
or identical components are identified using similar numbers but
with the letter "A." This is done to reduce redundant discussion.
In bimini extender 40A, the struts 45A are positioned rearward of a
front corner of the boat 20 above a top rail of the perimeter
railing 23, and are clamped by brackets to a top of the perimeter
railing 23. The struts 45A are stabilized by angled tubular
stabilizers 60A and 61A. Notably, the rear stabilizer 61A is
basically the same as stabilizer 60A and extends in a same plane
along/above the top rail of the perimeter railing 23. It is
contemplated that the front support 43A can be further stabilized
by stabilizer straps 91A extended from each front corner of the
cover 42A to a front corner of the pontoon 20, if desired. Also,
note the laterally-oriented stiffeners 90 in FIG. 8, and
longitudinally-oriented stiffeners 90A in FIG. 8, both of which
were mentioned in the above description.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates a modified bimini extender 40A like that
shown in FIG. 7, but modified clamping brackets 63A and 64A are
used. The clamping bracket 64A (FIG. 12) includes opposing clamp
members that matably engage opposing sides of the top rail of the
perimeter railing 23, and include a threaded stud with hand grip
for clamping the clamp members together to grip the top rail.
Further, the top clamp member includes upward spaced-apart flanges
that receive and are pivotally attached by a horizontal pivot pin
to a lower end of the strut 45A (or to a lower end of the angled
brace 60A). The mid-level clamping bracket 63A (FIG. 11) also
includes similar opposing clamp members and a threaded stud with
hand grip for clamping onto the strut 45A, and includes similar
spaced-apart flanges that receive and are pivotally attached to an
upper end of the angled brace 60A. By this arrangement, the clamp
brackets 63A and 64A can be easily loosened and slid to orient the
struts 45A in a vertical use position or to orient the struts 45A
in a horizontal storage position (against a top of the top rail) .
. . or can be loosened (without the use of separate tools) to
totally remove the bimini extender 40A from the pontoon.
[0031] Notably, two of the frames 27A can be attached to the top
rail of the perimeter railing 23 using brackets 63A and 64A, struts
45A and braces 60A with a cover 42A extending between the two cross
braces 46A. This provides a stand-alone auxiliary bimini cover that
can be attached to existing pontoons, even where the pontoon does
not have a primary bimini cover.
[0032] A clamping mechanism 100 (FIG. 12-17) (also called a "clamp
assembly" or "clamp") includes an upper clamp member 101 with clamp
end 102 and tube-engaging end 103, and a lower clamp member 104
with clamp end 105 and tube-engaging end 106. The tube-engaging
ends 103 and 106 oppose each other to define a square pocket for
receiving the tube 107 forming the railing 23. At least one of the
outer ends of the tube-engaging ends 103 and 106 include a lip 107'
for engaging an outer side surface of the tube 107 to ensure
positive "captured" engagement with the tube 107. The clamp ends
102 and 105 include aligned holes 108 and 109, respectively, with
the hole 109 in the lower clamp member 104 being threaded. The
clamp ends 102 and 105 also include a mating pin 110 and hole 111
that engage to maintain alignment of the clamp members 101 and 104,
so that one member does not skew or twist relative to the other.
Also, the clamp ends 102 and 105 also include a channel 112 and
mating ridge 113 that extend parallel the tube 107 which
inter-engage and also help to maintain alignment of the clamp
members 101 and 104, so that one member does not skew or twist
relative to the other.
[0033] A handle assembly 114 (FIGS. 12-13) includes a threaded rod
115 shaped to fit slidably through the hole 108 and threadably
engage the hole 109. A top of the rod 115 includes a transverse rod
section 116 forming an axle, and a handle 117 rotatably mounted on
the rod 116. The handle 117 includes a cam 118 with protruding
surface portion 119 and recess surface portion 120 on its outer
surface, and a washer 121 on the threaded rod 115 under the cam
118. By manipulating/rotating handle assembly 114 about the axis of
the threaded rod 115, the threaded rod 115 can be rotated into the
threaded hole 109, such that the handle 117 and washer 121
gradually tighten the upper clamp member 101 against the lower
clamp member 104. In an assembled position, the handle 117 can be
moved to a release position (FIG. 16) where the clamping members
101 and 104 are sufficiently loose to slide along the railing tube
107. Preferably, they cannot be rotated relative to each other nor
pulled off the railing. In this release position, the recess
surface portion 120 is loosely engages (or is spaced slightly from)
the washer 121.
[0034] When the handle 117 is rotated about transverse rod section
116 (FIG. 17), the protruding surface portion 119 presses against
the washer 121, causing tension on the rod 115 and pulling the
clamping members 101 and 104 tightly together . . . such that they
clamp onto the railing tube 107, fixing its position on the
railing. In a preferred form, the protruding surface portion 119
moves slightly over center to assure that it does not accidentally
unexpectedly disengage. Notice the gap 120 in FIG. 17 (when the
clamping members are clamped together) is slightly less than the
similar gap 121 in FIG. 16. It is noted that a size of the gap 120
can be small or even zero, depending on an accuracy of the tube 107
and clamp members 101 and 104 (and their tendency to deform). It is
contemplated that a rubber or other gripping material can be placed
in the cavities of the clamping members 101 and 104 for assuring
good frictional engagement with the tube 107, and for providing
some cushioned engagement.
[0035] A frame-supporting bracket 122 (FIGS. 12-13) includes a
pivot stanchion 123 and a tube-engaging bracket 124. The pivot
stanchion 123 includes a block shaped to fit into an up-facing
groove on a top of the clamp end 102 of the upper clamp member 101,
the groove extending parallel the tube 107. A screw 126 threads
into the stanchion 123 from a tube-engaging surface of the clamp
end 102 of the upper clamp member 101, fixing the attachment. An
upper end of the stanchion 123 includes a transverse hole 127 for
receiving a pivot/sleeve nut 128 and threaded stud 129. The
tube-engaging bracket 124 includes a pair of legs 130 with a space
therebetween for receiving the stanchion 123. Holes 131 in the legs
130 align with the hole 127, allowing the pivot/sleeve nut 128 and
threaded stud 129 to pivotally attach the tube-engaging bracket 124
to the stanchion 123. An upper end 133 of the bracket 124 includes
a stud section for matably engaging an end of a
downwardly-extending tube on the overhead bimini frame (such as
components 45, 60, or 65). The upper end 133 can extend into the
open end of the downwardly-extending tube (as shown), or can form a
pocket for recieivng it. Also, their engagement can be secured with
a self-tapping screw or other
clamping/retaining/friction-generating mechanism.
[0036] The clamp 100, including its handle which moves over center
for quick-action clamping, is believed to be particularly novel,
useful, and unobvious, and it has surprising and unexpected
benefits. The construction is particularly non-complex, its
components few in number, and its operation is intuitive and easily
understood by most users. Further, the clamp is adjustable and
flexible in use, such as by allowing the handle to be rotated about
the axis of threaded rod 115 for increased clamping strength.
[0037] It is contemplated that there may be times when the
tube-engaging bracket (similar to 124) is fixed to the
frame-supporting bracket 122 instead of being pivoted thereto. In
such case, it is contemplated that the bracket (124) can be welded
to the bracket (122) or fixedly secured by a bolt(s).
[0038] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *